SHILLONG:
The chairperson of State Women’s Commission Phidalia Toi said that 13.25 per cent of women in Meghalaya are single mothers.
Speaking at the State Women’s Conference on Wednesday, she said that a survey was conducted by Meghalaya State Commission for Women in collaboration with North Eastern Hill University and Martin Luther Christian University.
“About 13.25 per cent of women in Meghalaya are single mothers. Most of these mothers in urban areas are working in unorganised sectors and live in rented houses, shanties and in poor living and unhealthy living condition, unsafe and unstable environment with no social or educational goals”, she said.
She added that in a mother-headed family, the older siblings are expected and become the substitute for mothers and caregivers for the younger siblings.
She said that such a case leads to rise in school or college dropouts and in turn to unintentional early pregnancy.
“If we want to preserve the unique matrilineal culture collectively, we have to be aware of what is going on in our society,” Toi stated.